Twenty-Five Days of Beauty- High End Makeup Product Fails

DAY FOUR OF THE TWENTY-FIVE DAYS OF BEAUTY 

HIGH END MAKEUP PRODUCTS I REGRET BUYING

As a self-professed beauty junkie, I buy and test new products frequently, trying to find the best of best. However, there are times when a product just does not cut it and does not live up to their claims. This post is to not meant to trash a product or a brand. This post is to show that some products just do not and that is ok. These products may work for you and if they do, that is great; however, for me, these products were major fails.

Bare Minerals “Well Rested” Loose 

Under Eye Brightener

$19.00/0.07 oz

This product is advertised as a “mineral-based powder miracle concealer and eye shadow base.” This product, specifically the shade “Well Rested” is considered a beauty-cult favorite. Everyone was raving that this product was the perfect undereye setting powder. They claimed it was full coverage and since it is yellow-toned, it instantly will brighten the undereye.

WRONG! This product DOES NOT like my skin. I tried this powder will all types of concealers and foundations and I still end up with the same result. First, even when I tap off any excess powder from my brush, the powder sticks to the concealer immediately and does not move or blend out. When I do try to blend it out, it literally moves and removes the makeup underneath. The longer I wore this powder, my undereye gradually became more and more dry and cakey. Because of this, you could see the product building in every crease on my face.

I use this product now as an eyeshadow lid color.

MAC “Luna” Cream Color Base

$22.00/1.2 oz

When hi-lighting because a big thing over the year, my first stop for hi-lighting options was MAC. I asked for the best hi-lighting base, where I could apply a powder hi-lighter on top for a long wear. I was guaranteed that this product was everything plus more. 

Once again, WRONG! When applying a cream hi-lighting base, I either apply it with my finger by dabbing it on the highest points of my check bones or use a duo-fiber brush. This product is so thick that I could barely get any product off on my finger or brush. When I able to pick up product, the cream immediately clumped and was impossible to dab and/or blend on my skin. When I tried, it picked up and moved my makeup or applied in a 3-D clumpy effect. This also occurred when I tried to use the product as a eyeshadow base.

I no longer use this product.

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Concealer

$25.00/ 0.58 oz

As you might be able to tell by now, I am a huge fan of Kat Von D makeup so when this concealer cam out, I was beyond excited to try it and had high hopes for it. It claims that it is a highly-pigmented, full-coverage, transfer and water resistant concealer. Sounds like the perfect concealer, right? WRONG! This product dried out my undereyes so bad that I looked as though I aged 10 years. It looked liked it created new creases in my eyes and it looked as if skin was going to peel off any second. A concealer SHOULD not be this thick. The pigmentation is great and could definitely cover any discoloration, however, the dryness it causes it not worth the money. 

I absolutely do not use this product under my eyes. The only use I found with this product is to use it to clean up my eyebrows.

Sephora Bright Set Loose Finishing Powder 

in Banana 01

$16.00/0.08 oz

I was browsing through the Sephora website and came across this powder. I immediately put it in my basket thinking that it might be an inexpensive alternative to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Banana setting powder. My excitement turned to disappointment before even using the product. The loose powder comes in a container with a shifter to control the amount of product that comes out. The shifter is three of the tiniest holes I have every seen and no product comes out now matter how hard you shake it. I literally cracked open the container and placed the powder in a another clean container I had on my vanity.

This product is horrible. This is NOT a dupe for ANY kind of banana shade setting powder. On my kin, when I applied this product, it immediately oxidized and turned dark. The powder also did not apply evenly under the eyes which always made my makeup look sloppy. 

I do not use this product at it. It sits in a drawer.

Benefit’s Fake Up Undereye Hydrating Concealer

$24.00/0.82 oz

I was intrigued when this product first came out and had high hopes. Basically this concealer has a moisturizing outer layer with the actual concealer in the middle. It claims that the concealer is enriched with vitamin E and will control creasing, hide dark circles and diffuse fine line for a smooth and natural look. 

Based on their claims, I thought this concealer was made for me as sometimes my undereyes tend to be very dry (especially in the winter). After giving this product a fair shot, testing it out for months and in different weather climate, basically this concealer did the complete opposite of its claims. 

The stick packaging was great and the product went on smoothly, however, this concealer creased on me from the start, even after immediately setting it with a powder. Since the concealer is surrounded by a layer of moisturizer the concealer is quite light, therefore, none of my underage discoloration was covered. Throughout the day, the concealer continued to look worse and worse. Even with “baking” the setting powder, using a thicker setting powder, adding more of the concealer, nothing works. 

To not waste money, I have actually tried using this as a lip balm base to give a moisturizing layer to my lips while slightly concealing the color of the lip color prior to apply a colored lip balm for everyday looks.

Twenty Five Days of Beauty- Save or Spurge? Kat Von D Lock ’N Load Makeup Setting Spray

DAY THREE OF THE TWENTY FIVE DAYS OF BEAUTY

Save or Splurge? 

Kat Von D Lock N' Load Makeup Setting Spray

I begin my day at 6:00 A.M and work 8-9 hours every day and sometimes the weekends. I do not have much time, if any, to make sure my makeup is still on and looking good. I have tried MANY setting sprays that claim to prolong the wear of your makeup and keep it looking fresh and perfect for 10 hours, 15 hours, 24 hours, etc. In a nutshell, they all failed to meet my exceptions.

Although I vowed to not waste any more money on setting sprays, I felt so compelled and interested to give the Kat Von D Lock ’N Load Makeup setting spray a shot. I have tried almost all of her products and have been very impressed by most. 

The product claims the following:

1. Weightless mist that locks down makeup for up to 16 hours

2. Film forming polymers ingratiates balance external factors such as the climate (helping prevent makeup melt-downs when hot; dehydration and cracking in the cold

3. Aloe and conditioning esters smooth and moisturize skin without a sticky or tight feeling

4. Prevents makeup from fading, sliding, caking or becoming excessively shiny

$24.00- 3.4 oz

After using this product for over a month, I would suggest that all my blog readers do two things: (1) Throw away all your setting sprays and (2) Buy this product! When I get home from a long day of work fulfilled with tons of touching, scratching, rubbing and holding my face, my makeup is still in place.

To really test this product, I went to bed on purpose with a full face of “glam” makeup after long night out. In the morning when I looked in the mirror, the makeup still looked presentable. When I looked in the mirror in the morning, my makeup still looked presentable. The eyeshadow stayed in place along with the foundation. With minor touch-ups, I could have went through the day with the makeup from the night before. (Please note that I immediately washed my face. I DEFINITELY do not suggest ever sleeping with makeup.

I use this spray after EVERY application of makeup and would definitely recommend this product for all skin types. I have oily skin, so most sprays leave a layer of oil on my skin or lock in the oil that accumulates throughout the day. Then there are sprays that make my skin feel like still glue; feeling the product with every face movement. This product controlled my oil, eliminating continuous blotting and left my skin feeling smooth and refreshed throughout the day.

I personally would not use this product throughout the day to refresh my look, although you can. For that purpose, I will continue to my MAC Fix+. If you are on the fence about this product or if you have a big occasion or long night ahead, I suggest picking up this spray. Not worrying about your makeup throughout the day or night is worth every penny of this product!

Until next time,

X&O

Twenty Five Days of Beauty- Makeup Tutorial + Adding a Pop of Color

DAY TWO OF THE TWENTY FIVE DAYS OF BEAUTY

Makeup Tutorial Using a Pop of Color

                                                        

When showing the Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix palette to my cousin, she made the following comment, “Who would actually use that blue shade.” Our conversation inspired this makeup look to show how adding a pop of color does not have to be scary. Of course, you can use this technique to add any color you want, however, for this look, I chose the the “blue” my cousin specifically referenced.

EYE MAKEUP

Since we are adding a pop of color under the lower lash line, you want to keep this area of the eye very neutral and basic.

1. Apply MAC Soft Brown into the crease using window-wiper motions from corner to corner, rounding out the shadow at the outer corner. I used a Sigma E40 Blending brush.

2. Apply Kat Von D shadows in Strutter and Noble more precisely into the crease to give a soft cut-crease effect. Use window-wiper motions to apply the shadow and circle motions to blend out the edges. Make sure to keep this shadow underneath the transition shadow. Once again, round out the shadow at the outer corner. I used a MAC 217 blending crease brush.

3. Apply an eyeshadow base to the lid from corner to corner. I used the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. I used a small, flat concealer brush.

4. Apply Light Bronze eyeshadow from the LORAC PRO palette to the lid by packing on the shadow from corner to corner. Pack on the shadow by patting your brush up and down on the lid. I used a MAC 242 brush.

5. Re-apply Kat Von D shadows in Strutter and Noble lightly into the crease to intensify the crease after applying the lid color. Round out the shadow in the outer corner. I used a MAC 217 blending crease brush again.

6. Add false lashes. Since we are not applying eyeliner, apply the lashes as close as possible to the last line. *TIP- pinch the band of the lashes gently to eye. I used Red Cherry #5.

LOWER LASH LINE

This is where we are going to add the pop of color; whatever color of your choosing.

1. Apply an eyeliner that matches the color of the shadow you are using. I used Sephora Waterproof eyeliner in Summer Cruise.

2. Apply Synth from the Kat Von D palette lightly on the shadow to prevent the liner from moving. Take your time doing this as you do not want to poke yourself in the eye. I used a MAC 212 flat liner brush.

3. Using a pencil brush, apply Synth directly under the lash line. Do not be afraid to extend this shadow lower than you normally would as this is the star of the look. Since these shadows are extremely pigmented, build up this color slowly. Make sure to tap off your brush before each application to prevent fall out. 

4. Blend Hyperballad on top and underneath the previous shadow. I used a Sigma E40 brush to blend the two shadows together.

5. Apply mascara to the lower lashes.

Hope you enjoyed this look! Comment and Subscribe! X&O

THE AFTERMATH

Thanksgiving/Fall 2015 Makeup Look

Whether you are visiting family or friends for the fall holidays or you just want to take a good selfie while warming up the turkey, below is my favorite go-to makeup look using warm browns, reds and oranges.

Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix
$42.00

For this look, I mostly focused on using the Kat Von D- Mi Vida Loca Remix palette. Although the colors may look intimidating, if you blend out these colors using a light hand, you can use this palette for hundreds of looks. This palette is AMAZING and must have for everyone. Its hard to not only find matte colors but matte colors that bend so easily without skipping. The center of the palette includes your basic neutral colors so any look can be made using this palette alone. 

Now, for the make up look...

1. Sweep “Swoon” lightly into the crease as your transition shade; 

2. Blend “Analogue” in the inner half of the eye. Use a stiffer and more dense brush to create a blended cut-crease look; 

3. Blend “Rewind” in the outer half of the eye using the same brush; 

4. Use a concealer brush to pat on a neutral base on the lid to provide a sticky surface (I used MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15). This will also clean up and create a line dividing the crease from the lid; 

5. Pat “Moulder” onto the lid; 

6. Apply “Vox” on the outer V, building the color to desired darkness while blending this color lightly into the crease and lid; 

7. Apply “Black Metal” to deepen and darken the outer V;

8. Apply winged liner, mascara and false lashes;

9. Apply “Black Metal” on the bottom lash line/blend “Analogue”  and “Rewind” with a pencil brush/ Blend all colors with “Swoon”; and

10. Apply “Vinyl” in the inner corner of the eyes.

Hope you enjoyed this look! Have a great Thanksgiving, beauties!

X&O

Best in Beauty- Under Eye Setting Powders

After applying concealer under the eyes, it is essential to set it with a powder. Setting the tackiness of the concealer will not only prolong the wear but will also prevent visible creasing. If you look straight into a mirror, you will notice creases under the eye. If you do not set your concealer with a powder, chances are the concealer will fill into these creases and let’s be honest, it is not cute. 

Since there are no oil glands/pores under the eyes, the creases are caused by a lack of moister. Therefore, before applying concealer, make sure you moisturize your face, especially the under area *TIP- pat the moisturizer under the eye area to make sure the moisturizer is in fact entering the creases. Let this dry before applying any makeup.

You want a setting powder to be finely milled. If the powder is too chunky or heavy, it will dry out the under eye area and appear cakey. The powder will also chunk up in the creases and appear worse as the day goes on. Below are some of my favorite setting powders. Also, it is also important to keep in mind that it is not only the powder you use but rather HOW YOU APPLY it.

HOW TO APPLY CONCEALER & SETTING POWDER

THE CREASE PROOF WAY

1. Apply concealer in an upside-down triangle under one eye. If you are interested in my favorite full-coverage, natural looking concealers, check out my blog post on Best in Beauty- Under Eye Concealers!

2. Take a damp beauty blender or dome shaped brushed and pat the concealer under the eye. Do not rub, this will only spread the concealer through the creases unevenly. While you are doing this, look up. Do not look in a mirror but only for a second to make sure the concealer is blending. Continue looking up while your concealer dries to a tacky finish (about 30 seconds or so)

3. Have your setting powder and your brush ready.

4. While you are still looking up, pat your setting powder under the eye. Build an evenly covered layer of powder in the under eye area, thereby “setting” the concealer.

5. For a more glam look, this is when you can "bake" your under eye area by packing on a thick layer of powder to be removed at  later time.

6. Repeat this process on the other eye.

7. Set your face with a Makeup Setting Spay.

FAVORITE SETTING POWDERS

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CONTOUR PALETTE

Single pan- $14.00/Palette- $40.00

KAT VON D SHADE & LIGHT PALETTE
$46.00

LAURA MERCIER SECRET
BRIGHTENING POWDER
0.14 oz- $25.00

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD MICRO FINISH
SETTING POWDER
0.14 oz- $19.00
0.3 oz- $34.00

LAURA MERCIER TRANSLUCENT
LOOSE SETTING POWDER
0.33 oz- $22.50
1 oz- $37.00

BEN NYE BANANA LUXURY POWDER
0.93 oz- $13.20
3 oz- $29.99

MAC SCULPTING POWEDERS IN 

EMPHASIZE & SOFT FOCUS

$17.00

Of course, if you are interested in a Hi-Light/Contour "Baking" post or if you would like me to post a video on this topic, please comment below.

Until next time, beauties!

X&O